The basilar artery divides into which arteries?

The basilar artery divides into the posterior cerebral arteries at the level of the midbrain. This is a crucial point in the blood supply to the brain, as the posterior cerebral arteries are responsible for supplying blood to significant areas of the brain, including the occipital lobe and the inferior parts of the temporal lobe. The division of the basilar artery occurs after it has formed from the confluence of the vertebral arteries.

Understanding this anatomical relationship is important in vascular imaging and assessment, as any abnormalities in this area could lead to significant neurological deficits due to compromised blood flow to these critical brain regions. The basilar artery does not give rise to the anterior cerebral arteries, vertebral arteries, or middle cerebral arteries, as these vessels arise from different paths within the cerebral circulation.